…it’s an entertaining ride. The three friends, parched both emotionally and sexually, will have you rooting for them and cheering as they find their feet and their freedom in the end.

Radhika Apte, Surveen Chawla and Tannishtha Chatterjee’s film is failed by too much violence and unnecessary gloss. Some things are better left to the imagination.

Parched is worth the time and money. The spirit of the film is celebrating fights against an unjust system and society and emerging winners — not because they have well-intentioned men rescuing them, but because they can save themselves. Watch it for the sake of the celebratory mood or watch it for a heated debate in your bedroom. Do not miss it at all.

While Parched might remind some viewers of Thelma & Louise, the film is rooted in India. The theme of women being mistreated in traditional and even modern societies may be universal, but Parched remains Indian in its tone, ethos, and the very distinct and disturbing male-female dynamics.

Parched isn’t a miserablist tale that wallows in despair. It is a tale of a rampaging, rollicking, uninhibited rebellion by women who find allies in a vibrating mobile phone and a decked-up three-wheeler getaway bike.

Parched is a roadmap for our oppressed female population who have been victims of a misogynist mindset for eons.

Coming as it does on the heels of “Pink” last week, “Parched” seems a little too contrived to be a memorable tale of women empowerment.

Parched packs in many social issues into the film – from violence against women to the need of education of girls – and it does so without screaming from the rooftop.

Parched is a powerful women-centric drama but it falters with the underlying themes of sexuality. Also, breaking free from the shackles of tradition and society is something that stands true for Kishan’s character much more than the leading ladies.

Despite its grim setting and feudal themes, Parched is a film where women rise above the exploitation and the misogyny to live life on their own terms. The erotic nature of their conversations and their ability to retain their spirit through all adversity makes this film a true blue winner.

“Parched” celebrates the joie de vivre of shared grief among women who live their wretched lives on the edge and are only too happily to topple over when pushed and provoked. Sometimes, feminism doesn’t need a full-blown messianic clarion call. A little tug, a firm push, will do. “Parched” hits us where it hurts the most.

If you were to draw a parallel, this would perhaps be the rural equivalent of Pan Nalin’s upper-class, super-urbane ‘Angry Indian Goddesses’, a terrific ensemble pic, from last year. Of course we’ve been seeing very entertaining and explosive feminist films lately (‘Pink’ is an even more recent example). They only reflect an irreversible revolution on the Indian streets, homes, and workplaces. A fine sign of our times, I’d say, and if the arrow also leads to theatres, yes, it’s worth going, and supporting, for sure.

Parched celebrates  the joie de vivre of shared grief among women who live their wretched lives on the edge and are only too happily to topple over when pushed and provoked.

Sometimes, feminism doesn’t need a full-blown messianic clarion call.A little tug, a firm push will do.Parched hits us where it hurts at the most.

And I don’t mean below the waist.

Parched is a curiously unsatisfying experience. The issues it highlights – domestic violence, marital rape, child marriage, male entitlement – are the sort that would naturally draw empathy from a considerate viewer. Why then is it not as gripping as might be expected?

Rajasthan is probably the heart of patriarchy land, and the villages hide many ugly tales. But three friends are there to support one another and they eventually learn to help each other fight the ugly reality that is their life. Shot beautifully, the film seems much longer than its running time because it is full of cliches about women and the feminist text seems to be borrowed rather than believed.

“Parched” celebrates the joie de vivre of shared grief among women who live their wretched lives on the edge and are only too happily to topple over when pushed and provoked. Sometimes, feminism doesn’t need a full-blown messianic clarion call. A little tug, a firm push, will do. “Parched” hits us where it hurts the most.

In spite of its flaws, Parched manages to win your heart. It’s not the typical run-of-the-mill Bollywood movie. The exchanges between the leading ladies will make you smile. It’s also great to see how women from the village break free to live life on their own terms. Bollywood movies could easily do with more characters like Rani and Lajjo. 

While this one is clearly a Sex And The Village that many girls might enjoy, it’s not gonna leave you with a feeling of elation as it’s more like a chick flick for the rural audience. You might like it but it won’t make you go ‘woah’! After watching Pink and having high hopes for some more of hard hitting women centric films, I was very disappointed. One time watch would be enough for this film.

That film still speaks to me, while Parched left me thirsting for more; its parts don’t quite add up to a compelling whole.

Parched is an unconventional drama that acquaints you with the horrible situation of women in rural parts of the country. It is not a regular Bollywood film loaded with drama and entertainment so it might attract only limited audiences. Go for Parched, this weekend only if you have a palate for films of this genre.

Yadav’s third film Parched presents gender issues in a fairy-tale setting, but retains enough head and heart to flip the gorgeous backdrops to reveal the violence, abuse and discrimination that characterise the lives of the three principal characters.

‘Parched’ is sure a good watch and an eye opener to people who are still living in those circumstances.

Bold but not beautiful, dark but not sombre, Leena Yadav seems to have struck gold in the desert on her third attempt, and Parched is a must-watch for all. Having said that, the film is a new direction for Indian cinema.